Gorran MP involved in oil controversy resigns for ‘health reasons’

Gorran MP Ismaeel Galali has resigned his seat in the Kurdistan parliament. In a resignation letter yesterday Galali cited health issues as the main reason for his decision. He also said that he does not want to spoil his legacy, having sacrificed a lot for the Kurdish nation.

His resignation follows the controversy generated by Kurdistan natural resources minister Ashti Hawrami who, in an interview with Rudaw, accused some Gorran MPs of questionable involvement in the oil refinery sector.

It has since emerged that Ismail Galali, a small businessman, was involved in the sale of a petrol station. The Gorran leadership now realises that they might have been too hasty in selecting him as a parliamentary candidate.

Last year four Gorran MPs resigned on the pretext that there was a limit to what they could achieve in parliament and that they preferred to work closer to their organisation.